Container with a detachable pocket for a promotional item and method thereof

ABSTRACT

A container for holding a product and a substantially flat item is described. The container includes one or more walls, with a substantially flat detachable portion. The detachable portion includes a first pocket wall and a second pocket wall substantially opposite the first pocket wall. The first pocket wall and the second pocket wall are attached to one another so as to form a pocket with a slot for inserting and removing the flat item.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to packaging. More particularly, the present invention relates to a container with distribution of a promotional item and method thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A manufacturer or vendor of a product who wishes to promote the sale of the vended product to a customer may distribute an additional item to the customer. When the additional item is attractive to the customer, the customer may decide to buy the vended product over a competing product in order to obtain the additional item. The additional item may be enclosed with or attached to the vended product. In other cases, the vended product may include a coupon or voucher for obtaining the additional item for free or at a reduced price.

In other cases, an advertiser or promoter of a promoted product or service may utilize the sale of a different vended product for promotional purposes. In order to promote the promoted product or service, a promotional item for advertising or promoting the promoted product or service may be included or associated with the vended product. For example, the promotional item may include advertising material for the promoted product or service, a coupon to encourage the purchase of the promoted product or service, or a sample of a promoted product.

Several methods are commonly used to deliver an additional item or a promotional item to a customer together with a vended product. For example, promotional material, or instructions or a coupon for obtaining the additional item, may be on packaging or a container containing the vended product. The promotional or additional item may be enclosed together with the vended product in a box, bag, can, or other package or container.

The additional or promotional item may include a data disc, such as a compact disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD). The disc may be enclosed with, or may be attached to a package or container containing, the vended product. Such a disc may include containing video, audio, text, or other digitized data. For example, the content of a promotional disc may include an advertisement, preview, review, sample, or demo of the promoted product or service, or instructions or software for obtaining the promoted product or service. A disc serving as an additional item for promoting the sale of the vended product may include video or audio entertainment programming, or a computer game or program.

However, when the additional or promotional item is a data disc, the disc may require protection from factors that may damage, or impair the use of, the disc. Potentially damaging factors may include, for example, bending stress, impact from being dropped or knocked, scratching, soiling, and discoloration.

Methods and devices for incorporating data discs into the packaging of a vended product have been described previously. For example, Huffman et al. in US 2005/0205437 describe a method and apparatus for holding a disc in an existing recess of a conventional container, such as the recess commonly found at the bottom of a paper or cardboard cup or round container. Such a method is limited to a container with an existing recess of suitable size and shape to accommodate the disc. Davis in US 2005/0139495 describes a compartment in a flat bottom portion of a plate or bowl. The compartment may be used to contain an article such as a disc or other flat object such as a photograph or coupon.

Placement of a disc in a cover or lid of a container or cup has been described previously, for example, by Nava et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,411), Schueler (DE 10042832), Chene (WO 9821491), Eghtedari et al. (GB 2442058), Weiss et al. (WO 2005/037672), Innis (U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,960), Peacock (WO 2008/068449), and Muraoka et al. (JP 2005/170436). Such placement of a disc is limited to products that are provided in containers with detachable, and preferably round, removable covers.

An example of a product into the packaging of which a disc may be incorporated is popcorn. Since popcorn is often associated with watching movies, Hsu (www.notsimplyyes.com/movie night.html, as it was available online on 18 Feb., 2009) proposes the sale of a movie disc and popcorn together in a sealed box. When the box is opened, a part of the box that contains the movie disc is separated from the other part of the box that contains popcorn ready for preparation in a microwave oven. Such a box may not be suitable for the vending of popcorn at outlets where the containers are commonly filled with popcorn prepared on site.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container that may hold a data disc or other flat item, and that is fillable with a vended product. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for promoting a product or service by including a promotional or additional disc or other flat item in the container that is distributed to a customer together with the vended product.

Other aims and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after reading the present invention and reviewing the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is thus provided, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a container for holding a product and a substantially flat item. The container includes one or more walls, with a substantially flat detachable portion. The detachable portion includes a first pocket wall and a second pocket wall substantially opposite the first pocket wall. The first pocket wall and the second pocket wall are attached to one another so as to form a pocket with a slot for inserting and removing the flat item.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the pocket is designed to hold a disc.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the container is designed to hold popcorn.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the detachable portion is detachable from the container along a perforation.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, one of the first and second pocket walls includes an opening

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the opening includes a transparent window.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the container is assembled from a blank.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the first pocket wall is located at one end of the blank, and the second pocket wall is located at an opposite end of the blank.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, at least one of the pocket walls is a section of one of the walls of the container.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the container includes a cover for closing the slot.

There is further provided, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a promotional method for promoting a product or a service. The method includes providing a container with one or more walls and with a substantially flat detachable portion. The detachable portion includes a first pocket wall and a second pocket wall substantially opposite the first pocket wall. The first pocket wall and the second pocket wall are attached to one another so as to form a pocket with a slot for inserting and removing the flat item. The method further includes placing a promotional item in the pocket, placing a foodstuff in the container, and delivering the container to a recipient.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the promotional item includes a data disc.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the data disc includes data selected from a group of data types that includes movies, previews, and demo or full computer games.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the foodstuff includes popcorn.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the step of delivering the container to the recipient is performed at a cinema.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the method further includes closing the slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the present invention, and appreciate its practical applications, the following Figures are provided and referenced hereafter. It should be noted that the Figures are given as examples only and in no way limit the scope of the invention. Like components are denoted by like reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows a container with a pocket for a disc, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates insertion of a disc into the pocket of the container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A illustrates a disc in the pocket of the container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3B illustrates a variation of the container shown in FIG. 3A, in which the opening of the pocket is closed.

FIG. 4 illustrates detachment of the pocket from the container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a blank for formation of the container shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, modules, units and/or circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.

A container in accordance with embodiments of the present invention is designed to hold a vended product that is provided by a vendor to a customer. In addition, the container incorporates one or more pockets for holding one or more additional items that are provided to the customer together with the vended product. The flat item may be a disc, a photograph, coupon, or other any other substantially flat object whose dimensions are compatible with those of the pocket. The pocket is designed to hold the additional item separate from the vended product. For example, contact between the vended product and the additional item may be undesirable when such contact may enable the vended product to scratch, soil, discolor, or otherwise degrade the surface of the additional item. Such degradation may mar the esthetic qualities of the additional item, and may, such as when the additional item is a disc or similar object, impair the function of the additional item. Contact may also be undesirable, for example, when the vended product is a foodstuff. In this case, contact may be undesirable when the additional item may not have been manufactured and handled in a manner typical of the handling of foodstuffs and foodstuff packaging.

The container material is sufficiently strong to hold the vended product for which the container is intended, and to maintain its shape when filled. Suitable materials may include, for example, cardboard, stiff paper, or plastic. The material may be coated. For example, a porous material such as cardboard or paper may be coated with a material, such as plastic lamination, to make the material impervious to oil or other liquids. The container material may be disposable.

The pocket is detachable or separable from the remainder of the container. When detached from the remainder of the container, the pocket may serve as protective cover for protecting the additional item. For example, the sides of the pocket may be constructed out of laminated cardboard. A laminated cardboard pocket may help prevent bending or scratching of the item. Once the pocket is detached and the vended product is used up, the remainder of the container may be discarded.

The container includes a bottom wall and side walls for holding the vended product. At least one of the walls incorporates a pocket for holding a disc or other additional item. A pocket includes two pocket walls, an inner pocket wall and an outer pocket wall. The inner pocket wall separates a space inside of the pocket from the cavity of the container designed to contain the vended product. The space is confined by pocket seams (e.g. the inner and outer pocket walls are glued or otherwise attached along one or more seam lines) to ensure that the additional item stored in the pocket remains inside the pocket, with at least one slot or opening for inserting the item into and for removing the item from the pocket. The slot may be provided with a sealing flap that may be folded over the slot, or another type of cover, such as a tape or sticker. The cover may be closed, and possibly sealed, once the item has been placed into the pocket in order to protect the item or to prevent the item from falling out of the pocket. The outer pocket wall may include an opening or a transparent window through which part of the additional item may be viewed from the outside of the container. The pocket is detachable from the remainder of the container. For example, perforation may be provided along the edges of the pocket. Tearing along the perforation may separate the pocket from the remainder of the container. Alternatively, any other separation aid known in the art, such as, for example, a crease, a tear string, a tear strip, removable tape, adhesive, pin, or clip, or a visible indication of where to cut or tear, may be provided.

In addition to a bottom and walls, the container may be closed at the top, or may be provided with a built-in or separate cover. The container may include one or more built-in or attachable handles for carrying the container.

The vended product may be placed in the container by a vendor who prepares the vended product on site and sells or distributes it to customers. A common product sold or distributed in such a manner is popcorn. Other products similarly dispensed may include other types of snack food, or carry-out food such as French fries or salads. Common venues for such sales may include, for example, refreshment stands at cinemas or theaters, shows, sports events, parties, fairs or carnivals, shopping malls and centers, parks or zoos, fast-food restaurants, and street vendor stands, carts, or vehicles. Alternatively, the vended product may be prepackaged in the container, such as by a manufacturing or packing facility. In such a case, the container may be closed after being filled with the product. Such containers may be used for vending products such as, for example, gift packages containing several small items.

A promotion method, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, may utilize the sale or other distribution of a vended product, such as popcorn, in a container as described above. The promoter may provide a promotional item, such as a data disc (e.g. CD or DVD) to be included in the pocket of the container. The data disc may include promotional material for promoting the product or service. For example, the data disc may containing video or audio advertising material or catalogs, a preview, review, or sample of a movie, show, or album, or a full or demo version of a computer or video game or program (for personal computers, hand held devices, game consoles etc.), or music. Alternatively or in addition, other promotional material, such as printed advertising material or catalogs, discount or promotional coupons or tickets, or product samples, may be included in the pocket. The vendor or other distributor of the popcorn may deliver the popcorn to a customer or other recipient in the cavity of the container, together with the data disc in the pocket of the container. The vendor thus may assist in the promotion of the promoted product or service by distributing the data disc in the pocket of the container to a recipient of the vended product. The promoter may provide the containers containing the data disc to the popcorn vendor. Alternatively, the promoter may provide the data disc only.

Alternatively, a promotion method in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may employ a container as described above to promote sale of a vended product, such as popcorn, that is sold in the container. For example, a popcorn vendor may provide an additional item, such as a data disc, that may be attractive to a customer of the popcorn. For example, the data disc may include video or audio entertainment, including music, a full-length or short movie, or a computer game or program. The data disc may be inserted by the vendor into the pocket at the point of sale. Alternatively, the data disc may have been previously inserted in the pocket, either by the vendor, or by a provider of the containers. Alternatively or in addition, other items may be inserted into the pocket, for example, photographs, stickers, booklets, cards, coupons, tickets, or toys. A transparent window or opening in the pocket through which the data disc is visible to a potential customer may further promote the sale of the popcorn.

Reference is now made to the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1 shows a container with a pocket for a disc, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Container 10 is constructed in the form of a container such as is commonly used for dispensing popcorn at cinemas, refreshment stands and other venues. Container 10 includes walls 12 a-12 c, which may be bulge outward. Container 10 also includes a flat front wall 14 that includes front container wall section 14 a and front pocket wall 14 b. Container 10 also includes container bottom wall 28 (visible in FIG. 4). Walls 12 a-12 c, front container wall section 14 a, and container bottom wall 28 together enclose cavity 11 into which a vended product, such as popcorn, may be dispensed. Walls 12 a-12 c and front wall 14 slope outward from bottom to top. The outward sloping of the walls of the container may enable empty containers to be stored in a stacked manner, with each container in the stack nested within the container below it (when stacked upright).

Front wall 14 of container 10 includes front container wall section 14 a and front pocket wall 14 b. Front pocket wall 14 b is divided from front container wall section 14 a, and from adjacent walls 12 a and 12 c, by perforated lines 15. The detachable pocket includes front pocket wall 14 b and inner pocket wall 16. Inner pocket wall 16 may be attached to front pocket wall 14 b along seams. The seams may be located within and adjacent to perforated lines 15. Thus, front pocket wall 14 b and inner pocket wall 16 may remain attached to each other after separation from the remainder of container 10 along perforated lines 15. Front pocket wall 14 b and inner pocket wall 16 thus form a detachable pocket that is open at pocket slot 22. Pocket slot 22 is of a suitable size and shape so as to hold a designated item. For example, pocket slot 22 may be suitable for holding a disc such as a CD or DVD. Front pocket wall 14 b includes an opening 18. Opening 18 may be sufficiently large such that a label or a portion of an item held in pocket slot 22 may be visible from outside container 10. However, opening 18 is sufficiently small so as to hold the item within pocket slot 22. Alternatively or in addition, opening 18 may be covered with a transparent material, such as, for example, a transparent plastic foil, so as to form a window that may protect the item and hold it in place within pocket slot 22.

FIG. 2 illustrates insertion of a disc into the pocket of the container shown in FIG. 1. Disc 20 may be inserted into pocket slot 22. The diameter of opening 18 is less than the diameter of disc 20. FIG. 3A illustrates a disc in the pocket of the container shown in FIG. 1. Disc 20 is held in pocket slot 22 between perforated lines 15. A central portion of disc 20 is visible through opening 18. Opening 18 may be approximately concentric with disc 20 when disc 20 is completely inserted into the pocket. Disc 20 is held separate from cavity 11, and from any vended product filling cavity 11, by inner pocket wall 16.

FIG. 3B illustrates a variation of the container shown in FIG. 3A, in which the pocket slot is closed. Slot cover 23 is folded over to close the top of the pocket. Slot cover 23 may be sealed after it is closed. Slot cover 23 may be incorporated into inner pocket wall 16 (FIG. 3A), front pocket wall 14 b (in which case the slot cover may fold inward toward cavity 11), or both. Alternatively, slot cover 23 may be a separate piece that may be attached to the pocket slot, using adhesive or other attachment means known in the art.

FIG. 4 illustrates detachment of the pocket from the container shown in FIG. 1. Perforated lines 15 have been cut. By cutting perforated lines 15, detachable pocket 24 is no longer attached to front container wall section 14 a and adjacent walls 12 a and 12 c of container 10. Disk 20 may be stored in detached pocket 24. Alternatively, disk 20 may be removed from pocket slot 22 of detached pocket 24.

FIG. 5 shows a blank for formation of the container shown in FIG. 1. The visible side of blank 30 as shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to the outer side of assembled container 10. In order to assemble container 10 from blank 30, blank 30 may be folded inward by approximately 90° along each of fold lines 17. Thus, each fold line 17 takes the form of an outer corner, as shown in FIG. 1. The section of the blank corresponding to inner pocket wall 16 is located on one end of blank 30, while the section of the blank corresponding to front pocket wall 14 b is located at the opposite end of blank 30. Thus, when blank 30 is folded along fold lines 17, inner pocket wall 16 is parallel to, and inside of, front pocket wall 14 b. The outward facing side and bottom edges of inner pocket wall 16 may be affixed to the corresponding inward facing edges of front pocket wall 14 b, inside of perforated lines 15. The edges may be affixed using any affixing method known in the art. Such affixing methods may include, for example, gluing, pasting, application of adhesive tape, exposure of an adhesive strip by removal of a protective strip, stapling, or stitching. When the container is intended for use with unpackaged foodstuff, such as, for example, popcorn, French fries, or salads, the affixing method may be limited to methods approved for contact with foodstuffs. The outer side of tab 34 may be similarly affixed to the inside of front container wall section 14 a.

Bottom sections 28 a-28 d may each be folded inward along fold lines 21 and 19. Bottom sections 28 a-28 d may be shaped so as to interlock to form a bottom wall 28 (shown in FIG. 4) that is capable of supporting the intended contents of the container. Alternatively, bottom sections 28 a-28 d may be affixed to one another, using an appropriate fixing method as discussed above, so as to form a supporting bottom surface. As shown in FIG. 5, fold line 19 is straight while fold lines 21 are curved. As a result, when assembled into a container, walls 12 a-12 c of the container may bulge outward, while front wall 14 is flat. Inner pocket wall 16 may be provided with a notch 26. Alternatively or in addition, a similar notch may be provided on a parallel location on front pocket wall 14 b. Notch 26 may facilitate separation of the inner and outer pocket walls, for conveniently removing or inserting a disc or other item through pocket slot 22.

It should be clear that the description of the embodiments and attached Figures set forth in this specification serves only for a better understanding of the invention, without limiting its scope.

It should also be clear that a person skilled in the art, after reading the present specification could make adjustments or amendments to the attached Figures and above described embodiments that would still be covered by the present invention. 

1. A container for holding a product and a substantially flat item, the container comprising one or more walls, with a substantially flat detachable portion, the detachable portion including a first pocket wall and a second pocket wall substantially opposite the first pocket wall, the first pocket wall and the second pocket wall being attached to one another so as to form a pocket with a slot for inserting and removing the flat item.
 2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pocket is designed to hold a disc.
 3. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container is designed to hold popcorn.
 4. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detachable portion is detachable from the container along a perforation.
 5. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the first and second pocket walls comprises an opening
 6. A container as claimed in claim 5, wherein the opening includes a transparent window.
 7. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container is assembled from a blank.
 8. A container as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first pocket wall is located at one end of the blank and wherein the second pocket wall is located at an opposite end of the blank.
 9. A container as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least one of the pocket walls is a section of said one or more walls of the container.
 10. A container as claimed in claim 1, comprising a cover for closing the slot.
 11. A promotional method for promoting a product or a service comprising: providing a container comprising one or more walls, with a substantially flat detachable portion, the detachable portion including a first pocket wall and a second pocket wall substantially opposite the first pocket wall, the first pocket wall and the second pocket wall being attached to one another so as to form a pocket with a slot for inserting and removing the flat item placing a promotional item in the pocket; placing a foodstuff in the container; delivering the container to a recipient.
 11. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the promotional item comprises a data disc.
 12. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the data disc includes data selected from a group of data types that includes movies, previews, and demo or full computer games.
 13. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the foodstuff comprises popcorn.
 14. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the step of delivering the container to the recipient is performed at a cinema.
 15. A method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising closing the slot. 